Strength of the upper limbs has been suggested to de a determinant in climbing performance (1). However, different kinds of assessments have provided contradictory results. Strength has been measured with general (handgrip) and specific (SCD, specific climbing dynamometer) tools. Isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and rate of force development (RFD) can be considered as outcomes. The SCD showed validity (correlated with lead performance n=38, r=-0.61, p<0.001)(2), reliability (Typical Error as CV was 8, 16% for SCD MVC and peak-RFD and ICC of 0.91, 0.82, respectively) (3) and internal responsiveness (effect size 1.44 in SCD peak-RFD) (4). Lead and Boulder are widespread disciplines in sport climbing. Boulder climbers showed higher values of MVC and pRFD compared to Lead climbers (5). Muscle fatigue (i.e. decrease in MVC and RFD parameters) can give further details in the importance of neuromuscular properties in sport climbing disciplines. The aim of this study was to examine muscle fatigue after Boulder and Lead activity. Methods Fourteen climbers (age 29 ± 10 yrs, height 176 ± 8 cm, weight 70 ± 7 kg, climbing level IRCRA scale moderate to advanced) participated in a simulated competition in Lead and Boulder. Before the measurement climbers were involved in a survey investigation. Participants were randomly assigned to a sequence Lead-Boulder or Boulder-Lead in a counterbalanced design with two conditions (i.e. Lead and Boulder) and washout (i.e. recovery) period of 4 hours. Specific strength (MVC and RFD) was measured with a SCD at baseline and after Boulder and Lead. Results Climbers perceived strength of the forearms to be important in boulder and lead (12 and 13% of the answers) performances and physical strength of higher importance in boulder compared to lead (34 and 42% of answers). MVC and pRFD at baseline were 7.2 ± 1.1 N/kg and 38.2 ± 8.6 N/kg/s. After boulder, MVC and pRFD were 6.8 ± 1.5 N/kg and 32.7 ± 10.3 N/kg/s, percentage differences -7.4 (90% CI ± 7.3) and -16.3 (90% CI ± 15). After lead MVC and pRFD were 6.4 ± 1.7 N/kg and 30 ± 11.3 N/kg/s, percentage differences -12.8 (90% CI ± 10.8) and -25.4 (90% CI ± 13). Discussion The decline in strength after Lead and Boulder simulation of competition confirms the occurrence of muscle fatigue. This study confirmed previous results attained after a Lead official competition and simulation for pRFD (-19%) and MVC (-6%) (2). The great decline in pRFD underlined the importance of rapidly exerting the strength (i.e. contact strength) during both disciplines. Conclusion Specific strength should be assessed with SCD. Rate of force development seams to be more appropriate compared to maximal voluntary contraction for investigating fatigue after climbing disciplines. References 1. Watts, P.B., Eur J Appl Physiol, 2004. 91(4): 361-72. 2. Fanchini, M., et al. In 15th Annual Congress of ECSS. 2010. Antalya, Turkey 3. Fanchini M, et al. In 16th Annual Congress of Sport Science ECSS. 2011. Liverpool, UK. 4 Fanchini M, et al. In 2nd International Rock Climbing Research Congress 2014, Pontresina, Switzerland 5 Fanchini M et al. J Strength Cond Res,2013. 27(2): 310-314

Specific strength in sport climbing disciplines / M. Fanchini, F. Schena, B. Pellegrini, L. Bortolan, E. Limonta. ((Intervento presentato al 6. convegno Mountain, Sport and Health tenutosi a Rovereto nel 2015.

Specific strength in sport climbing disciplines

E. Limonta
2015

Abstract

Strength of the upper limbs has been suggested to de a determinant in climbing performance (1). However, different kinds of assessments have provided contradictory results. Strength has been measured with general (handgrip) and specific (SCD, specific climbing dynamometer) tools. Isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and rate of force development (RFD) can be considered as outcomes. The SCD showed validity (correlated with lead performance n=38, r=-0.61, p<0.001)(2), reliability (Typical Error as CV was 8, 16% for SCD MVC and peak-RFD and ICC of 0.91, 0.82, respectively) (3) and internal responsiveness (effect size 1.44 in SCD peak-RFD) (4). Lead and Boulder are widespread disciplines in sport climbing. Boulder climbers showed higher values of MVC and pRFD compared to Lead climbers (5). Muscle fatigue (i.e. decrease in MVC and RFD parameters) can give further details in the importance of neuromuscular properties in sport climbing disciplines. The aim of this study was to examine muscle fatigue after Boulder and Lead activity. Methods Fourteen climbers (age 29 ± 10 yrs, height 176 ± 8 cm, weight 70 ± 7 kg, climbing level IRCRA scale moderate to advanced) participated in a simulated competition in Lead and Boulder. Before the measurement climbers were involved in a survey investigation. Participants were randomly assigned to a sequence Lead-Boulder or Boulder-Lead in a counterbalanced design with two conditions (i.e. Lead and Boulder) and washout (i.e. recovery) period of 4 hours. Specific strength (MVC and RFD) was measured with a SCD at baseline and after Boulder and Lead. Results Climbers perceived strength of the forearms to be important in boulder and lead (12 and 13% of the answers) performances and physical strength of higher importance in boulder compared to lead (34 and 42% of answers). MVC and pRFD at baseline were 7.2 ± 1.1 N/kg and 38.2 ± 8.6 N/kg/s. After boulder, MVC and pRFD were 6.8 ± 1.5 N/kg and 32.7 ± 10.3 N/kg/s, percentage differences -7.4 (90% CI ± 7.3) and -16.3 (90% CI ± 15). After lead MVC and pRFD were 6.4 ± 1.7 N/kg and 30 ± 11.3 N/kg/s, percentage differences -12.8 (90% CI ± 10.8) and -25.4 (90% CI ± 13). Discussion The decline in strength after Lead and Boulder simulation of competition confirms the occurrence of muscle fatigue. This study confirmed previous results attained after a Lead official competition and simulation for pRFD (-19%) and MVC (-6%) (2). The great decline in pRFD underlined the importance of rapidly exerting the strength (i.e. contact strength) during both disciplines. Conclusion Specific strength should be assessed with SCD. Rate of force development seams to be more appropriate compared to maximal voluntary contraction for investigating fatigue after climbing disciplines. References 1. Watts, P.B., Eur J Appl Physiol, 2004. 91(4): 361-72. 2. Fanchini, M., et al. In 15th Annual Congress of ECSS. 2010. Antalya, Turkey 3. Fanchini M, et al. In 16th Annual Congress of Sport Science ECSS. 2011. Liverpool, UK. 4 Fanchini M, et al. In 2nd International Rock Climbing Research Congress 2014, Pontresina, Switzerland 5 Fanchini M et al. J Strength Cond Res,2013. 27(2): 310-314
13-nov-2015
Settore M-EDF/02 - Metodi e Didattiche delle Attivita' Sportive
Specific strength in sport climbing disciplines / M. Fanchini, F. Schena, B. Pellegrini, L. Bortolan, E. Limonta. ((Intervento presentato al 6. convegno Mountain, Sport and Health tenutosi a Rovereto nel 2015.
Conference Object
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Fanchini_abstract_MSH_2015-2.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Post-print, accepted manuscript ecc. (versione accettata dall'editore)
Dimensione 33.09 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
33.09 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/350095
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact